Apparatus for applying liquids to concrete surfaces



Aug. 18, 1936. A D SAUNDER 2,051,182

APPARATUS FOR APPLYING LIQUIDS TO CONCRETE SURFACES Filed Sept. 20, 19^52 3 Sheets-Sheetl 2 l lj 4l 4'" e 38% 35i "L7-[gl l 519 Il :222

ATTORNEYS Aug. 18, 1936. A D SAUNDERS 2,051,182

l APPARATUS FOR APPLYING LIQUIDS TO CONCRETE SURFACES Filed Sept. 20, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 /NVENTOR A TTORNE YSl Patented Aug. 18, 1936 UNITED STATES enrEnr Erie-E APPARATUS FOR APPLYING LIQUIDS TO CONCRETE SURFACES This invention relates to an improved method of and apparatus for app-lying liquids to concrete surfaces and the like, and is particularly applicable to the coating of freshly laid concrete surfaces such as roadways or floor surfaces with a curing compound. The method and apparatus may, however, be utilized for applying waterproofing compounds for other purposes, coloring materials, road oils, etc.

In the setting of hydraulic cement such as the Portland cement utilized in the making of concrete roadways, floors and the like, it is well known that the proper setting of the concrete is due to hydration of the cement or chemical action between the cement and the'water with which it is mixed. This hydration will not take place properly if the concrete dries out to any extent before the hydration is complete, and it is therefore important that the concrete shall be kept wet long enough to permit the required chemical action to be completed. The keeping of the concrete wet has commonly been done by various expediente such as covering it with earth or straw and sprinkling it at frequent intervals. Such expedients, however, are subject to numerous disadvantages, and in the United StatesY patent to Hayden No. 1,684,671, an improved method of preventing evaporation of theV water from the concrete during curing is set forth which comprises the application to the freshly laid concrete of an impervious coating which will retain al1 ,of the original mixing water inthe concrete until the chemical reaction between the water and the cement has been completed, or, as it is commonly termed, until the concrete is fully cured. Suitable compounds for this purpose are set forth in saidy United States Letters Patent. and also in United States Letters Patent to McRay No.

In order to secure the full benefit of the processes and compounds set forth in said patents it is important that the curing compounds used be applied uniformly over the entire surface of the concrete, and be applied quickly and at the proper period after the laying ofthe concrete When conditions for application of the compounds are most favorable. VWhen a volatile compound is employed, such for instance as one comprising an asphaltic base dissolved in a volatile oil, it is also highly desirable to secure rapid application so as to avoid difficulties due to evaporation of the solvent. Heretofore the compounds have been applied by means of a brush, mop, swab or single nozzle spray gun moved about above the surface of the concrete by maa nipulation in the hands of an operator. These methods are subject to numerous objections, particularly when employed on surfaces of large areas when numerous operators are required, which increases the cost of application and which prevents the obtaining of uniform resul-ts. When a brush, mop or swab is used there is danger of injury to the fresh concrete surface. With any of these hand manipulated methods of application, including the single nozzle spray gun carried by an operator, it is impossible to secure a coating of uniform thickness and parts of the concrete are almost sure to be insufcientl-y coated. In other places too much material is applied with Vconsequent waste. Furthermore, if the coating is mixed with pigment, or is of such a nature as to color the concrete, a uniform appearance of the finished job cannot be obtained, but the surface will look patchy. This lack of uniformity will occur even where the coating is done by a single operator, and where several operators are working on different parts of a large surface the results will usually be even more unsatisfactory. Furthermore the coating material cannot be distributed simultaneously over a large area of the co-ncrete, and therefore the condition of the latter may change during application of the coating and the best results will not be secured in the condition of the concrete itself.

In accordance with the present invention the objections abo-ve noted are o-Vercome and a method and means are provided by which a large area of. the concrete surface may be treated with the curing agent by one continuous operation in a uniform manner, and the same amount of coating canbe applied on all parts of the surface. The human factor is practically eliminated and uniform satisfactory results may be relied upon. For instance in the use of my method and apparatus it is possible to treat the freshly laid concrete across an entire lane of a concrete highway and includingv where desired the vertical sides of the concrete strip in one continuous operation.

In the accompanying drawings in which certain preferred embodiments of the apparatus used in practicing the present invention are shown by way of illustration:

Figure l is a plan view of an apparatus suitable for applying a coating to a concrete roadway,` a portion of one of the lanes of freshly laid concrete being shown in broken outline.

Figure 2 is a sidey elevation of the distributor shown in Figure 1, a part of the shield being broken away.

Figure 3 is a view, `partly in side elevation and Y partly in vertical section showing the pressure Figurefl is a horizontal section Y distributing tank on line 4-4 of Figure 3. Y

Y VFigure 5 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in vertical'section showing an improvedY v crete roadway in cross section, and illustrating an.V

distributing tank. Y Y

of the pressure form of spray nozzle which may be employed.

' Figure V6 Vis a bottom. planvview of` the'spray nozzle shown in Figure 5.V Y Y Y Y Figure 7 is a diagrammatic viewshowing a con- Y' arrangement of the spray nozzles for treating V1of the concrete. Y

kthe .vertical sides of theconcrete lane,.and also Y`.showing the adjacent spray nozzles for spraying the horizontal surface of the concrete. Y

Figure 8 is anend Yview of the form Vof distributing machine carriage shown inV Figures 1 and 2 rwhich is adapted to travel'on the surface Figure 9 is asimilar view of a form of carriage for the distributing `machine adapted to travel on the forms along the sides of the lane between vwhich' the concrete is laid; andY Y Figure l0 is a` plan view of the carriage show in Figure 9.

The apparatus chosen'in the present instance to illustrate the invention and mode of carrying out the improved process', is ofV a type particu- YVlarly adapted Vfor the application` of a curing.Y

agent to Vanelongated section of concrete, such'as a lane ofY a concrete highway. Y In Figure 1 the Y Voutline of the concrete isindicated by the broken line 23.

YV35Y For applying the compound to the surface of this concrete a'portable distributor 2| is provided which carries "a plurality of spaced spray nozzles n22. The distributor-has a frame comprising semi-circular membersf connected by' transverse members'Z and 21 which are'attached to the ends of longitudinal beams 28, the latter 'being adaptedrto be supported on a suitable formV of wheeled.Y carriage toV be described. Mountedv on the` frame Vis a pressureV distributing tank 30 from which pipes leadtothe various nozzles. As illustrated, a type of nozzle is utilized'irom which the liquid compound is adapted to be sprayed byirieans of compressed air and .two pipes lead 'Y Y to each nozzle, one forsupplying therliquid under pressure and the other for supplying the compressed airV for atomizing purposes. In the drawings, the pipes for supplying the liquid to Vthe nozzlesV are designated 3|? and the pipes for distributingV compressed air are designated 32.

Eachpair of these pipes Vleads to the respective branches' of a Y33, which carriesY a nozzle 22.

The pressure distributing tank 38 is vshown particularly in Figures 3 andY 4 and is provided'with Y a transverse partition 35 above whichnis a space Y forthe'liquid which is forced into it underY presc eo sure through aninlet ,openingl 36, While below the partition is a chamber for compressed air which enters through a port 31. The liquid'discharge pipes 3|;are'connectedto outlet ports 38 Y in the wall of the tank above the partition, while theair pipes 32l are connected to portsr39 in the wall of the tank belowrtheipartition.' Prefer--Y ably screens 4| and` 42 are mounted transversely "in' the liquid and airchambers in Ythe tank so asY to prevent any Vforeign substance which may be forced into the tank from; reaching the Ypipes leadingto the nozzlesran'd possiblyclogging the Preferably the partition 35 slopes to a liquid outof the pressureY distributing tank when the apparatus is not Vin use.

Y Y The liquid compound and air under pressure are supplied to the pressure distributing tank in any suitable manner, for instance as illustrated Vdiagrammatically in Figure 1. YAs here shown, a

portable air compressor 50 is provided which is connected by means ,ofan air'hose 5| to an air pipe 52 which leads to the air inlet port 31 in the pressure distributing tank. .I An air cock V53 is preferably provided near the outer'endV of ythe pipe 52. A pressure material tank or reservoir 55 is provided'for holding a supply of the coating liquid. .Air pressure is supplied to the topof this Y Ytankv above Ythe level of the liquidV therein,

through a pipe 56V and the liquid is forced out of the bottom of the tank 55 under pressure throughY supply pipe 58 on the distributor, the end of such liquid supply pipe being connected to the liquidY inlet port 36 in the pressure distributing chamf ber. A liquid cock 59 is preferably provided near the outer end of therpipe 58. A by-pass 60 controlled by a by-pass cock 6| is also preferably provided by means of v which air'may be forced into the pipe 58 for cleaning the liquid out ofthe distributing apparatus after the apparatus has been in use. In the normal operation ofthe apparatus, the by-pass cock l6| is closed and the'air cock 53 and liquidcock 59 are opened .wholly or partly. With thisy arrangement it will bev seen that theliquid in the tank 55 isforced by the air a liquid hose 51 which is connected to a'liquidV pressure through hose 51 and pipe 58 into the Y upperchamber of'the distributingtankV 370 from which it is distributed through the pipes 3| to the several nozzles. At the same time air under pressure passes through the air hose 5| andpipe V beseen that Yall of these pipes are of the sameY length and therefore, by makingrthe pipes and Y portsofequal diameter, the frictional resistance,

of the liquidrand air passing to each Vnozzle will be the same. It is thus possible to secure uniform distributionof the liquid and compressed air to.

each nozzle. The supplying of the nozzles byV means of plpe's'radiating from a central distrib-7..'

uting tank of small diameter is alsorimportant in securing substantially uniform distributionV of the liquid across the road surface irrespective of changes in the inclination of the surface due to the banking of the roadway.; As thenozzles are supplied from the small tank located approximately centrally of the roadway, the i'low of liquid will rnot be materially aiected by the Ytipping of the apparatus and each-nozzle `will therefore receive the liquid at all'times. VThis is not true' where the liquid is supplied to the nozzles from a.

will tend to flow to the part of theA header which is lowest when the machineY is tipped, and therefore the nozzles at the low side of the machine will Ybe oversupplied, while YthenozzlesV at the highiside of themachine will be insufficientlyVV supplied or not supplied at all. Y

Y The nozzles andradial pipesare preferablyV not uniformly spacedv around the arc-shaped frame, butthe nozzles nearer the center of the roadway are spaced more closely together than the Vnozzles near the outside, as shown in'ligure transverse header, because in that case the liquid'V The spacing should be such that the distances between the paths traversed by `the nozzles when the distributor is moved longitudinally of the roadway or other concrete surface to be treated are equal or `substantially equal so that each nozzle will distribute its jet over an equal width of the concrete and a uniform distribution of the coacting compound over the entire width of the roadway will be secured. The jets from adjacent nozzles may barely contact or they may overlap. In either event if the nozzles are identical and properly spaced, ar uniform distribution may be secured. It will be understood that other arrangements of the nozzles than the arcuate arrangement shown may be provided so long as precautions are taken to secure a proper distributicn of the compound across the surface to be treated, but the arrangement described is a particularly simple and effective one for securing uniform distribution due to the spacing and uniform lengths of the pipes with consequent identical frictional resistance to the flow to each nozzle.

Shield means are preferably provided adjacent to the nozzlesso as to protect the jets issuing from the nozzles from the wind, and prevent waste of the material and imperfect distribution due to deflection of the jets by air currents. As illustrated, a curved sheet metal shield i0 is mounted on the frame outside of the jets by lmeans of brackets ll. The shield is illustrated as flaring outwardly so as not to interfere with the proper spread of the jets.

Cut-off valves are preferably provided in one or more of the outer pairs of pipes as indicated at E5 in Figure l. In this way the nozzles at the sides of the machine may be cut off when the machine is being utilized to coat a narrow strip of concrete.

For coating the vertical sides of a strip of concrete, the outer nozzles of the distributor are preferably mounted on adjustable pipe brackets, as shown in Figure l. As illustrated, the outer Ys are provided with downwardly extending parts which have elbows 8| rotatably mounted on their lower ends. Rotatably connected with elbows 8| are elbows 82 which carry pipes S3. Rotatably mounted on the pipes 83 are elbows 8d to which are swivelly connected elbows 85 carrying pipe sections 85 on the ends of which are mounted the nozzles 22. Any well known form of swivel joint between the different pipe sections may be employed which will permit of adjustability of the `sections and their retention in position after adjustment. For instance, a joint having sufficient friction to hold its adjustment may be used, or any suitable form of releasable clamping means may be employed. With this arrangement it will be seen that the outer nozzles 22 may be directed on an angle as shown in full lines in Figure '7, so as to spray downwardly and laterally upon the corners and vertical sides of the concrete; or the nozzles may be adjusted as shown in dotted lines, so as to spray directly against the vertical sides of the concrete.

Any suitable form of spray nozzle may be employed in carrying out the present invention, such for instance as the improved construction of nozzle shown in Figures 5 and 6 which is particularly adapted for the purposes under consideration. This nozzle comprises a shell having a bell Shaped cavity l0@ therein, mounted in the lower end of which is an inverted cup-shaped perforated plate |0| constituting a distributor and a strainer for the mixture of liquid and co-mpressed air. This form of strainer does not easily become clogged and it effectively distributes the liquid and .air properly across the orifice of the nozzle. Mounted below the strainer |0| and held in place by means of a flanged ring |02 is a material ,diffusing plate H33 which has a downwardly dished portion |534 in which is an elongated discharge orifice |05 preferably of a fiattened oval shape Aas shown in Figure 6, which is narrower at the ends than at the center. This type of diffusing plateV forms a fiattened and elongated jet or spray and the diffusing plates in all of the different nozzles are preferably so arranged that the longer axes of the orifices |05 are transverse to the line of travel of the distributing machine. 'Ihe maximum coverage is thus obtained from each nozzle. form :of the jet is also promoted by forming the orice |05 in the curved or dish-shaped part of the diffusing. plate. It will 'be understood, however that'any other suitable form of nozzle may be substituted for :that shown. s

For .supporting the frame of the distributing machine carrying thev nozzles so that the machine may be traversed over the surface of the concrete, a carriage may be provided which travels upon-the surface of the concrete itself, .or a carriage may be provided which is supported inde'-` pendentl-y of the concrete surface, for instance b-y means of wheels adapted to travel on the forms between which the concrete is laid. In

Figures 1, 2 and 8, a carriage of the former type is shown having a frame I0 which carries longitudinal supporting beams upon which the beams 28 of the distributing frame are adapted to be removably secured in any suitable manner, as by means of the bolts 2. The frame ||0 carries wheels E3, preferably rubber tired, which are adapted to run on the surface of the concrete, one pair of such Wheels being desirably arranged for steering, a tongue H4 being provided for this purpose, and for conveniently moving the distributor along. The distributor frame and carriage are vpreferably made as light as possible so that the distributor may be moved over the surface of green concrete Without injuring the latter. This enables the distributor to be utilized to apply the coating to the concrete a short time after the latter is laid. The use of the device upon newly laid concrete is facilitated by mounting the air compressor and the main liquid reservoir independently of the distributor and connecting them to the distributor by means of fiexible pipes. In this way the'weight of these parts is kept off the concrete.

In some cases it is advantageous to support the distributor independently of the surface of the concrete, particularly in instances where it is desired to apply the coating to the concrete immediately after it has been laid, and before it has begun to set. In such instances a carriage is employed which is constructed to span the strip of newly laid concrete and be supported by wheels travelling at opposite sides of the newly laid concrete surface. For instance, a carriage such as shown in Figures 9 and l0 may be employed which comprisesV a frame |20 carrying longitudinal beams 2| to which the longitudinal beams on the frame are adapted to be bolted. The frame |20 is mounted on brackets |24 carrying an axle |25 on which are adjustably secured flanged wheels |22 adapted to travel on the forms |23 between which the concrete is laid. The brackets |24 are adjustably secured to the frame |20 by suitable means such as bolts |26 so that the brackets with the Wheels |22 may be moved The ,properl nearer together or farther apartY depending upon the Width ofthe strip ofconcrete tobe treated;

While'I have illustrated Vcertain preferred forms of apparatus embodying the-.nvel features of construction'of my invention and by Ywhich my Yimproved `method may YI be practiced, VVit will be understood that Vmodifications may be made in the apparatus andrrthatY my Aimproved method-may beV performed in oth-er Waysthan by the apparatus shown'. I therefore intend by the VVappended claims to coverV my invention broadly in whatever way its principles may ber'utilized.

1.Y A distributor 'of the character described having small central chambers thereon for hold ing coating liquid and air under pressure, re-

` Y spectively, at least four spaced nozzles carried by lzo Vthe distances between the intermediate nozzles .Y less thanrthe distance between the outer and in- Yterrnediate:nozzles in such manner that the` parallel paths traversed by the nozzles are approxi-V .matelyt equally spaced acrossrthe surface traversed by the distributor.` Y,

V2.'In a distributor of the character described; a frame, a pressure distributing receptacle of smallrdiameter thereon, a'multiplicity of individual distributing nozzles mounted on said frame Y inthe arc ofV a circle, said nozzles being spaced *apart at progressively small-er intervals from the i across the path traversed by the distributor, said outside towards -the center in such-manner that the' Y'parallel paths' traversed bythe nozzle dis-V charge orifices are approximately Yequally spaced pressure Ydistributingreceptacle being located at the center of said circle, and radial ductsV of equal Y length and YsizeY connecting eachof the nozzles with said pressure distributing receptacle. Y Y

Y3. In a distributorV of the character described, aA

Y frame mounted on wheels, a plurality of depending nozzles arrangedY inY arci shape transversely c of said frameand adapted to project sprays upon aYV concrete surface or the like over which Vthe frame is traversed, anda downwardly depending and outwardly flaring arcuate shield carried by said frame outside of said series of nozzles to 2,051, 1822,V Y Y Yprotect the sprays delivered therebyrfrom the wind, and means for supplyingliquid and fcom-V pressed air to each of said nozzles, saidY means comprising a pressure supply tank located at the center of curvature of the arc in which said noz-V 5 zles are arranged, and radial` ducts connecting Y said tank withthe respective nozzles.

4.V In a distributor of the character described, Ya frame, supporting wheels therefor, a series of downwardly depending spray nozzles carriedfby said frame andV arranged Vin an arc extending transversely of the pathV of travel of the distributona pressure distributing tank. located at Y the center of curvature of said arc, said tank being divided into upper and lower chambers by a transl5 verse partition, radial ducts connecting each ofY said chambers with each of said nozzles,"rneans for supplying the coating liquid under pressure to one of said chambers, and means'for supplyn frame and arranged in an arc extending trans-'25 l Y Vversely of the pathrof travel of the distributor, a

pressure distributing tank located at the center of curvatureof said arc and radial ducts of equal size and length connecting said tank with' the respective nozzles, said nozzles being spaced apart 30 at progressively smaller intervals Yfrom the outside towards the center infsuch manner that the parallel paths traversed by each nozzle are approximately equally spaced across the surface traversed by the distributor. i 35 6. In a distributor of the characterdescribed, a frame', supportingV Wheels therefor, a series'of downwardly directed spray nozzles carried by said frame and arranged in an arc extending transversely of the path of travel of the distributor, a pressure distributing tank located Yat the center of curvature of said arc and radial ducts connecting said tank with the respective nozzles, said nozzles being spaced apart in such manner'that the parallel paths traversed by each 45 1 nozzle are approximately equally spaced across ered thereby from the wind. Y

ALBERT D. SAUNDERS. Y

OIL. 

